Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
  • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
  • C03C17/00—Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by coating
  • C03C17/001—General methods for coating; Devices therefor
  • C03C17/002—General methods for coating; Devices therefor for flat glass, e.g. float glass
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
  • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
  • C03C17/00—Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by coating
  • C03C17/34—Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by coating with at least two coatings having different compositions
  • C03C17/3411—Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by coating with at least two coatings having different compositions with at least two coatings of inorganic materials
  • C03C17/3417—Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by coating with at least two coatings having different compositions with at least two coatings of inorganic materials all coatings being oxide coatings
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
  • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
  • C03C17/00—Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by coating
  • C03C17/34—Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by coating with at least two coatings having different compositions
  • C03C17/42—Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by coating with at least two coatings having different compositions at least one coating of an organic material and at least one non-metal coating

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method for processing a tempered glass film that is, particularly, although not exclusively, useful and practical in the sector of providing protective films for screens (typically touchscreens) of mobile devices, such as for example smartphones, tablets and the like.
• the present invention also relates to a corresponding tempered glass film.
• mobile devices also comprise a screen, i.e. a surface visible to a user on which are visually represented images, video or data supplied (or processed) by that mobile device.
• a screen i.e. a surface visible to a user on which are visually represented images, video or data supplied (or processed) by that mobile device.
• modern mobile devices such as for example smartphones, tablets and the like, comprise a touchscreen, i.e. an electronic device constituted by the combination of a screen and a digitizer, which enables the user to interact with a graphical interface using the fingers or special objects.
• the touchscreen is simultaneously an input device and an output device.
• the aim of the present invention is to overcome the limitations of the known art described above, by devising a method for processing a tempered glass film, and a corresponding tempered glass film, which make it possible to obtain better effects than those that can be obtained with conventional solutions and/or similar effects at lower cost and with higher performance levels.
• an object of the present invention is to conceive a method for processing a tempered glass film, and a corresponding tempered glass film, that make it possible to eliminate, or at least minimize, the reflections of sunlight or artificial light that typically originate from the screen of a mobile device.
• Another object of the present invention is to devise a method for processing a tempered glass film, and a corresponding tempered glass film, that make it possible to protect the eyes of the user operating the mobile device from the reflections of sunlight or artificial light that typically originate from the screen of a mobile device.
• Another object of the present invention is to conceive a method for processing a tempered glass film, and a corresponding tempered glass film, that make it possible to improve the contrast, and therefore the clarity, of the visual content (e.g. images, video, data, graphical interfaces and the like) displayed by the screen of a mobile device.
• the visual content e.g. images, video, data, graphical interfaces and the like
• Another object of the present invention is to devise a method for processing a tempered glass film, and a corresponding tempered glass film, that give a pleasing aesthetic appearance to the screen of a mobile device.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for processing a tempered glass film, and a corresponding tempered glass film, that are highly reliable, easily and practically implemented, and of low cost when compared to the known art.
• a method for processing a tempered glass film comprising a layer of tempered glass, at least one layer of titanium oxide, and at least one layer of silicon oxide, in order starting from said layer of tempered glass, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of:
• said layer of tempered glass has a thickness comprised between 0.1 millimeters and 0.5 millimeters
• each of said at least one layer of titanium oxide has a thickness comprised between 10.00 nanometers and 200.00 nanometers
• each of said at least one layer of silicon oxide having a thickness comprised between 20.00 nanometers and 220.00 nanometers.
• the tempered glass film consists of a layer of tempered glass, an optional layer of chromium oxide, at least one layer of titanium oxide, at least one layer of silicon oxide, and an optional layer of hydrophobic material, in order starting from the layer of tempered glass.
• a tempered glass film characterized in that it comprises a layer of tempered glass, at least one layer of titanium oxide and at least one layer of silicon oxide on a layer of tempered glass, said at least one layer of titanium oxide being interposed between said layer of tempered glass and said at least one layer of silicon oxide,
• said layer of tempered glass has a thickness comprised between 0.1 millimeters and 0.5 millimeters
• each of said at least one layer of titanium oxide has a thickness comprised between 10.00 nanometers and 200.00 nanometers
• each said at least one layer of silicon oxide has a thickness comprised between 20.00 nanometers and 220.00 nanometers.
• Figure 1 is a flowchart that shows an embodiment of the method for processing a tempered glass film according to the present invention
• Figure 2 is a graph that shows the progression of the transmittance (%) along the wavelength of light (nm) of a first variation of the tempered glass film, in particular neutral in color, obtained by way of an embodiment of the method for processing a tempered glass film according to the present invention
• Figure 3 is a graph that shows the progression of the transmittance (%) along the wavelength of light (nm) of a second variation of the tempered glass film, in particular blue in color, obtained by way of an embodiment of the method for processing a tempered glass film according to the present invention
• Figure 4 is a graph that shows the progression of the transmittance (%) along the wavelength of light (nm) of a third variation of the tempered glass film, in particular violet in color, obtained by way of an embodiment of the method for processing a tempered glass film according to the present invention
• Figure 5 is a graph that shows the progression of the transmittance (%) along the wavelength of light (nm) of a fourth variation of the tempered glass film, in particular gold in color, obtained by way of an embodiment of the method for processing a tempered glass film according to the present invention.
• the method for processing a tempered glass film according to the invention operates starting from a thin base layer of glass, in particular a layer of tempered glass with a thickness preferably comprised between 0.1 millimeters and 0.5 millimeters, even more preferably equal to 0.3 millimeters.
• the layer of tempered glass has a hardness equal to 9, preferably 9H, on the Mohs scale.
• the method for processing a tempered glass film according to the invention comprises substantially the following steps.
• step 12 the layer of tempered glass is brought to a high vacuum (HV) pressure comprised between 0.7E-5 millibars and 1.7E-5 millibars.
• HV high vacuum
• this high vacuum pressure is equal to 1.2E-5 millibars.
• the high vacuum can be obtained by way of a pump and a high vacuum chamber.
• step 14 the layer of tempered glass is heated to a temperature comprised between 50°C and 70°C. Preferably, this temperature is equal to 60°C.
• the temperature reached is maintained substantially constant until step 18, or optionally 20, of the method 10 according to the invention.
• the heating can be obtained by way of one or more electrical resistances.
• step 16 the layer of tempered glass is struck by an ion discharge for a length of time comprised between 150 seconds and 210 seconds.
• this length of time of the ion discharge is equal to 180 seconds.
• this ion discharge has substantially the following values: anode voltage 120 V, anode current 2 A, cathode current 20 A, flow of argon gas comprised between 10 SCCM and 20 SCCM (Standard Cubic Centimeters per Minute).
• the ion discharge renders the surface of the layer of tempered glass suitable for depositing layers of titanium oxide, silicon oxide, and optionally chromium oxide, in step 18.
• the ion discharge allows the molecules of the layer of tempered glass to open up and subsequently receive the molecules of titanium oxide, silicon oxide, and optionally chromium oxide, in step 18.
• step 18 At least one layer of titanium oxide and at least one layer of silicon oxide are deposited on the layer of tempered glass, in particular on the surface of one of its faces, thereby obtaining the tempered glass film.
• the layer of tempered glass acts as the substrate onto which the other layers of the tempered glass film are deposited.
• the layer of titanium oxide deposited has a thickness comprised between 10.00 nanometers and 200.00 nanometers.
• the layer of silicon oxide deposited has a thickness comprised between 20.00 nanometers and 220.00 nanometers.
• the at least one layer of titanium oxide is interposed between the layer of tempered glass and the at least one layer of silicon oxide.
• the tempered glass film may have at least a thickness comprised between 0.100030 millimeters (or 100030 nanometers) and 0.500420 millimeters (or 500420 nanometers).
• a first layer of titanium oxide and a first layer of silicon oxide are deposited on the layer of tempered glass, in particular on the surface of one of its faces, thereby obtaining the tempered glass film.
• the first layer of titanium oxide is interposed between the layer of tempered glass and the first layer of silicon oxide.
• the first layer of titanium oxide is in direct contact with the layer of tempered glass.
• a layer of chromium oxide is further deposited on the layer of tempered glass, in particular on the surface of one of its faces.
• the layer of chromium oxide deposited has a thickness comprised between 1.00 nanometers and 10.00 nanometers, and preferably equal to 3.00 nanometers.
• the layer of chromium oxide is interposed between the layer of tempered glass and the at least one layer of titanium oxide.
• the layer of chromium oxide is interposed between the layer of tempered glass and the first layer of titanium oxide.
• the layer of chromium oxide is in direct contact with the layer of tempered glass, instead of the first layer of titanium oxide.
• the layer of chromium oxide is deposited before the at least one layer of titanium oxide and the at least one layer of silicon oxide. Therefore, the layer of chromium oxide is deposited below the at least one layer of titanium oxide and the at least one layer of silicon oxide.
• the tempered glass film may have at least a thickness comprised between 0.100031 millimeters (or 100031 nanometers) and 0.500430 millimeters (or 500430 nanometers).
• the following layers of oxides are deposited in step 18, in the following order starting from the layer of tempered glass:
• this first variation of the tempered glass film has a thickness comprised between 0.100068 millimeters (or 100068 nanometers) and 0.500068 millimeters (or 500068 nanometers).
• the graph in Figure 2 shows the progression 32 of the transmittance (%) along the wavelength of light (nm) of this first variation of the tempered glass film, in particular neutral in color, obtained by way of the method for processing a tempered glass film according to the invention.
• the following layers of oxides are deposited in step 18, in the following order starting from the layer of tempered glass:
• this second variation of the tempered glass film has a thickness comprised between 0.10018458 millimeters (or 100184.58 nanometers) and 0.50018458 millimeters (or 500184.58 nanometers).
• the graph in Figure 3 shows the progression 34 of the transmittance (%) along the wavelength of light (nm) of this second variation of the tempered glass film, in particular blue in color, obtained by way of the method for processing a tempered glass film according to the invention.
• the following layers of oxides are deposited in step 18, in the following order starting from the layer of tempered glass:
• this third variation of the tempered glass film has a thickness comprised between 0.101402 millimeters (or 101402 nanometers) and 0.501402 millimeters (or 501402 nanometers).
• the graph in Figure 4 shows the progression 36 of the transmittance (%) along the wavelength of light (nm) of this third variation of the tempered glass film, in particular violet in color, obtained by way of the method for processing a tempered glass film according to the invention.
• the following layers of oxides are deposited in step 18, in the following order starting from the layer of tempered glass:
• this fourth variation of the tempered glass film has a thickness comprised between 0.10013624 millimeters (or 100136.24 nanometers) and 0.50013624 millimeters (or 500136.24 nanometers).
• the graph in Figure 5 shows the progression 38 of the transmittance (%) along the wavelength of light (nm) of this fourth variation of the tempered glass film, in particular gold in color, obtained by way of the method for processing a tempered glass film according to the invention.
• a layer of hydrophobic material is deposited on the tempered glass film, in particular on the surface of one of its faces, in order to render the latter anti fingerprint.
• the layer of hydrophobic material deposited has a thickness comprised between 10.00 nanometers and 50.00 nanometers, and preferably equal to 25.00 nanometers.
• the layer of hydrophobic material is deposited after the at least one layer of titanium oxide, the at least one layer of silicon oxide, and optionally the layer of chromium oxide. Therefore, the layer of hydrophobic material is deposited above the at least one layer of titanium oxide, the at least one layer of silicon oxide, and optionally the layer of chromium oxide.
• the hydrophobic material deposited can be Super Hydrophobic Coating (SH-HT) produced by the DON CO. LTD. company of Korea (KR).
• tempered glass film means a tempered glass film obtained by the processing method according to the present invention and comprising a layer of tempered glass, at least one layer of titanium oxide, and at least one layer of silicon oxide, in order starting from the layer of tempered glass, in particular a tempered glass film consisting of a layer of tempered glass, an optional layer of chromium oxide, at least one layer of titanium oxide, at least one layer of silicon oxide, and an optional layer of hydrophobic material, in order starting from the layer of tempered glass.
• step 18 the tempered glass film is cooled or reconditioned back to ambient temperature, for example equal to 25°C, preferably naturally.
• the method 10 for processing a tempered glass film according to the invention is carried out by a machine for treating optical and ophthalmic glass (e.g. lenses).
• optical and ophthalmic glass e.g. lenses
• a tempered glass film obtained by an embodiment of the method 10 for processing a tempered glass film according to the invention, can be subsequently subjected to machining of conventional type, such as for example the laser engraving on its surface of graphic elements (e.g. logos, wordings, decorations and the like).
• graphic elements e.g. logos, wordings, decorations and the like.
• the invention fully achieves the set aim and objects.
• the method for processing a tempered glass film, and the corresponding tempered glass film make it possible to overcome the qualitative limitations of the known art, in that they make it possible to obtain better effects than those that can be obtained with conventional solutions and/or similar effects at lower cost and with higher performance levels.
• An advantage of the method for processing a tempered glass film, and of the corresponding tempered glass film, according to the present invention, consists in that they make it possible to eliminate, or at least minimize, the reflections of sunlight or artificial light that typically originate from the screen of a mobile device.
• An advantage of the method for processing a tempered glass film, and of the corresponding tempered glass film, according to the present invention, consists in that they make it possible to protect the eyes of the user operating the mobile device from the reflections of sunlight or artificial light that typically originate from the screen of a mobile device.
• Another advantage of the method for processing a tempered glass film, and of the corresponding tempered glass film, according to the present invention consists in that they make it possible to improve the contrast, and therefore the clarity, of the visual content (e.g. images, video, data, graphical interfaces and the like) displayed by the screen of a mobile device.
• the visual content e.g. images, video, data, graphical interfaces and the like
• Another advantage of the method for processing a tempered glass film, and of the corresponding tempered glass film, according to the present invention consists in that they give a pleasing aesthetic appearance to the screen of a mobile device.
• the method for processing a tempered glass film according to the invention has been conceived in particular for providing protective films for screens (typically touchscreens) of mobile devices, it can in any case be used, more generally, for providing tempered glass films of any type and for any use.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=65861623

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Citations (5)

• 2018
  • 2018-12-14 IT IT102018000011095A patent/IT201800011095A1/it unknown
• 2019
  • 2019-12-11 WO PCT/EP2019/084670 patent/WO2020120585A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (5)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events